Abstract
This presentation explores how artistic practice can illuminate philosophical questions about the nature of mind, consciousness, and liberation as articulated in Book Four of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. Through a series of paintings that visually translate these sūtras, I propose that art offers a unique, experiential means of engaging with the complex relationship between citta (mind) and puruṣa (consciousness).
The paintings function as a form of “visual ontology,” inviting viewers to engage with abstract philosophical concepts in a sensory, tangible way. By depicting the interplay between the mutable processes of the mind and the unchanging awareness of consciousness, these works explore how yoga philosophy bridges the gap between mind and reality in the pursuit of liberation.
Drawing on contemporary debates in cross-cultural philosophy, I argue that art can serve as an epistemological bridge, offering new perspectives on non-dual states of consciousness and their relevance to modern discussions on the nature of mind and reality. Ultimately, this approach seeks to push comparative philosophy beyond academic discourse, making it accessible and experiential through the integration of visual art and metaphysical inquiry.
Recommended Citation
Townsend, Melissa
(2025)
"Painting Liberation: A Visual Ontology of the Interplay of Mind and Consciousness in Book Four of the Yoga Sūtras,"
Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal: Vol. 3:
Iss.
1, Article 4.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/monsoon-sasa-journal/vol3/iss1/4
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